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| Cousins--best friends. October 2013 |
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| Kerstin on World CP Day October 1, 2014. |
More to come...
Showing posts with label AWARENESS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AWARENESS. Show all posts
Thursday, October 2, 2014
About yesterday...
More to come...
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day...not just a day!
I hope you have on GREEN! Today is World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day! What does that mean? Awareness to those that don't fully understand Cerebral Palsy. Awareness to let the world know that more and more people are both with Cerebral Palsy and countless others are diagnosed with it every day. What do you know about Cerebral Palsy?
Don't worry, Cerebral Palsy is not contagious! Cerebral is of or pertaining to the cerebrum of the brain. Palsy or palsies are muscular conditions that are defined by tremors of the body parts. There are three types of cerebral palsy: spastic, which causes muscle stiffness and difficulty with movements; athethoid, causes involuntary movements and ataxic causes problems with depth perception and balance. So, there is no catching any of those.
For so many families, mine included, Cerebral Palsy is not just a term, awareness day is not just like any another day, it's life. We live and battle each day. These battles include those stiff muscles, seizures, wheelchairs, countless doctors, therapists, specialists, medicines, hospital stays, surgeries and many sleepless nights. I haven't met a parent of a child with special needs that don't understand what I am dealing with and they have faced some of the same battles or they are about to. Connections are so important.
Don't worry, Cerebral Palsy is not contagious! Cerebral is of or pertaining to the cerebrum of the brain. Palsy or palsies are muscular conditions that are defined by tremors of the body parts. There are three types of cerebral palsy: spastic, which causes muscle stiffness and difficulty with movements; athethoid, causes involuntary movements and ataxic causes problems with depth perception and balance. So, there is no catching any of those.
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| Cerebral Palsy info |
For so many families, mine included, Cerebral Palsy is not just a term, awareness day is not just like any another day, it's life. We live and battle each day. These battles include those stiff muscles, seizures, wheelchairs, countless doctors, therapists, specialists, medicines, hospital stays, surgeries and many sleepless nights. I haven't met a parent of a child with special needs that don't understand what I am dealing with and they have faced some of the same battles or they are about to. Connections are so important.
Along with the struggles and the battles, there are immeasurable joys that come along with raising a child with special needs. I know that raising Kerstin has changed my life in ways I will never be able to fully explain. I am more patient, having to speak up for her has bought out the advocate in my...that voice that will speak for those that cannot do it for themselves. I will type/write too!! I am not only Kerstin's mom, I'm her advocate too! She has forced me to grow and become a better person.
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| My reason! |
So, as the world is made aware of Cerebral Palsy, I encourage you to follow some of the links in this blog post. Read up on Cerebral Palsy and gain a better understanding of our loved ones living with it each day!
More to come...
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Judging and Assuming!
Judge, not the noun, the verb, means to infer or form an opinion of something or someone. Also, to assume is to take for granted or without proof. Who wants judgement passed on them? Who wants others to assume the things that are less positive about them? It is doubtful that there are many among us that would want that kind of unwarranted attention.
However, many people living with disabilities, whether they are physical, mental or emotional, are judged and people assume that they are unaware. People with disabilities are often looked down upon in our society. They are oftentimes neglected and abused. How do we go through life without passing judgment onto others or assuming something that may or may not be? It is not easy but, it is something we need to practice.
I cannot help thinking back to a previous post I made on speaking to people with disabilities. It may seem as if the person in front of you with a visible/ physical disAbility cannot understand. Or because of one's lack of education, knowledge and understanding, assumptions and judgments take precedent. "I won't bother speaking, they can't talk" or "they may not understand what I'm saying". Not once asking the caregiver, if the person understands or can communicate!
Last Thursday (8/28), Kerstin went to a new doctor at United Cerebral Palsy-Birmingham, the Life Without Limits clinic. The atmosphere in the office was so welcoming! Dr. Law came in and introduced himself, we did the same. It always makes me smile when I see Kerstin smiling at a new introduction. Dr. Law did what I'm sure most of us want our children to witness on new encounters, the person talking directly to them. After all, we are there because it is her appointment. He turned to me and asked, how does she communicate, I explained and talked about her Dynavox.
What happened next was poignant. Dr. Law said that he asked about her communication because one of his greatest fears is that he would meet someone and they had no way of communicating, or no one understood their communication. He went on to say that so many times there is something there and people just need a way to get it out! How true! He even made a movie suggestion, one I had never heard of, My Left Foot. The story of Christy Brown born with Cerebral Palsy and he could only control his left foot. Brown went on to become an artist and author. The movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis and is a must order for us!
Don't assume and please don't judge! Ask questions. It is okay to communicate...you never know what can be offered!
However, many people living with disabilities, whether they are physical, mental or emotional, are judged and people assume that they are unaware. People with disabilities are often looked down upon in our society. They are oftentimes neglected and abused. How do we go through life without passing judgment onto others or assuming something that may or may not be? It is not easy but, it is something we need to practice.
I cannot help thinking back to a previous post I made on speaking to people with disabilities. It may seem as if the person in front of you with a visible/ physical disAbility cannot understand. Or because of one's lack of education, knowledge and understanding, assumptions and judgments take precedent. "I won't bother speaking, they can't talk" or "they may not understand what I'm saying". Not once asking the caregiver, if the person understands or can communicate!
Last Thursday (8/28), Kerstin went to a new doctor at United Cerebral Palsy-Birmingham, the Life Without Limits clinic. The atmosphere in the office was so welcoming! Dr. Law came in and introduced himself, we did the same. It always makes me smile when I see Kerstin smiling at a new introduction. Dr. Law did what I'm sure most of us want our children to witness on new encounters, the person talking directly to them. After all, we are there because it is her appointment. He turned to me and asked, how does she communicate, I explained and talked about her Dynavox.
What happened next was poignant. Dr. Law said that he asked about her communication because one of his greatest fears is that he would meet someone and they had no way of communicating, or no one understood their communication. He went on to say that so many times there is something there and people just need a way to get it out! How true! He even made a movie suggestion, one I had never heard of, My Left Foot. The story of Christy Brown born with Cerebral Palsy and he could only control his left foot. Brown went on to become an artist and author. The movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis and is a must order for us!
Don't assume and please don't judge! Ask questions. It is okay to communicate...you never know what can be offered!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Vote for Kerstin Sanders - Hayneville, AL in the 2014 National Mobility Awareness Month Local Hero contest!
HEY GUYS...if you in the orange box before you submit your vote, please click on the "Get an extra vote" button, answer a simple question, usually caregiver/accessibility related...your vote will count as TWO....THANK YOU!!! Vote daily and share often!!!!
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| THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!! |
Vote for Kerstin Sanders - Hayneville, AL in the 2014 National Mobility Awareness Month Local Hero contest!
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